Mark Mellman, president and CEO of Democratic Majority for Israel, denounced what he called a “disastrous speech” by former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee for president, on Thursday at the Economic Club of New York.
“Today, less than six months after Iran launched an unprecedented attack against Israel, our closest ally and the only democracy in the Middle East, Donald Trump announced his intention to ‘take off’ sanctions on Iran and Russia if he is elected to another term—even as Iran and Russia continue their attacks against Israel and Ukraine,” Mellman said.
“Let us be perfectly clear: A second Trump term threatens Israel’s security, regional stability, and the safety of American troops in the Middle East,” he added. “By suggesting the U.S. lift sanctions on Iran and Russia, Trump is turning his back on two steadfast democratic allies fighting for survival against neighboring regimes intent on their destruction.”
Lifting those sanctions “would bring an influx of cash to Iran and Russia to pay for missiles, rockets and drones used to attack Israel and Ukraine,” Mellman said. “Trump’s plan to end sanctions against Iran will also enable them to increase funding for terrorist proxy groups like Hezbollah, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.”
Also on Thursday, Morgan Finkelstein, spokeswoman for Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign, responded to Trump’s speech at the RJC Annual Leadership Summit in Las Vegas.
“Donald Trump openly demeans Jewish Americans, proudly dined with a neo-Nazi and reportedly thinks Adolf Hitler ‘did some good things.’ He has said the only people he wants counting his money are ‘short guys wearing yarmulkes,’ and praised neo-Nazis who chanted ‘Jews will not replace us’ as ‘very fine people,’” Finkelstein said.
“Donald Trump has made it obvious he would turn on Israel in a moment if it suited his personal interests, and, in fact, he has done so in the past,” she added. “Meanwhile, the vice president has been incredibly clear: She has been a lifelong supporter of the State of Israel as a secure, democratic homeland for the Jewish people. She has an unwavering commitment to the security of Israel and will always stand up for its right to defend itself. She also stands steadfastly against antisemitism both at home and abroad and will do the same as president.”
